Law enforcement layoff stories are plentiful in fiscally hard-hit regions like the Rust Belt, but no area of the country is immune. Sworn officers from Sun Belt cities like Tulsa and Phoenix have also grappled with budget cuts. Some cities manage budgets by cutting overtime, contracting out internal affairs investigations, cutting civilian positions, and gutting special units.
August 5, 2011
Two officers share their stories of how they dealt with being laid off by their agencies.
August 5, 2011
Waiting for a recall doesn't pay the bills for laid-off officers. Fortunately, most officers who are laid off may no longer be on the job, but they are not forgotten by their comrades.
August 5, 2011
When times are tough, staffing takes the brunt of the cuts. That's true in business. That's true in law enforcement.
November 1, 2004
When Oregon laid off 139 of its state troopers and 300 employees total in one day, the already spread thin department was left with few officers to police the state, while the crime labs that process evidence for all Oregon law enforcement agencies were all but shut down. And the agency is not alone in suffering budget woes.
November 1, 2004